Rags abandoned, they now aim for riches

They aim to turn the wheel of fortune one day by gaining education. Thanks to the efforts of Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan officials, who are helping them in nurturing their dream by providing education free of cost.

As many as 32 children of migrant labourers, who were otherwise spotted picking rags and doing household chores in Nadaun, are seen attending school these days, thanks to SSA officials in the area.

Ninety-seven such children have already joined Government Primary School, Nadaun, under the special education programme for children of migrants in the past three years.

Locals also feel proud about the development.

Narendra Kumar of Nadaun said that it was nice to see these children attend schools; otherwise it was appalling to see them picking rags and doing household chores to support their families.

It was due to the efforts of Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan team, who approached their families and convinced them, he added.

Eleven-year-old Rinki Devi and her nine-year-old sister Puja, were spotted by these officials doing household chores at various places instead of attending schools. They then contacted their family and persuaded them to let them join Government Primary School, Nadaun.

Rinki said: "I like studying. I have a school bag now. I have also made new friends in the class."

Seeing a remarkable change in his daughters, Bhoop Singh, is a proud father now. He said he felt extremely happy to see both his daughters attending school instead of going to the market to pick rags.

Ram Singh, son of a migrant labourer from Bihar, said that he had never imagined that he would be able to join school ever. He expressed his gratitude towards his teachers, who he said were extremely helpful and cooperative.

Other parents too expressed their gratitude to the authorities for helping their children in gaining education.

Bhoop Dev of Uttar Pradesh, who works in Nadaun, said that he was happy that his children were now going to school and getting education for free.

He said he had no money to educate them and hence had never imagined that they would go to school one day, adding that both his children were now studying in Class 1. He said he felt extremely happy, when they narrated stories about what happened throughout the day.

Hamirpur deputy commissioner, Ashish Singhmar, said: "The Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan has not only empowered locals, but migrants as well, as parents have now started sending their wards to schools. They now understand how it will benefit and prepare them in the years to come."

He informed that the special programme was launched in October 2010 at the Nadaun school, after which it became quite popular among migrants.

Singhmar said the main aim was to help all children gain education and become literate adding that it has started showing good results.